Author to self: There are other characters in this story besides Duo and Heero.
Self: ….There are?
Chapter 38
A little less comfortable with leaving wandering the hallways to chance, especially with two less people in the group, Duo was sent ahead to scout out any teachers, students, or anything else that might be wandering in the dark. It was a good thing they had, as well, or they would have run head-on into Madam Pomfrey, who was apparently heading back towards the Infirmary.
"Oh, good evening, Duo!" she greeted. Duo beamed back at her.
"Ma'am," he replied easily, with a nod.
"You're out late," she admonished. "You should be in bed. Or making sure Mr. Yuy is in bed, at least." Duo knew he was flushing.
"Well, ah, I needed some fresh air. A walk usually helps me clear my mind and get to sleep."
The nurse eyed him critically. "You know, Duo, I could get you in very deep trouble catching you out here this late." Duo gave her a cheeky grin and managed to look abashed.
"Yeah… I know. But you won't, right? It'll just be our secret?" A little pleading added into his tone made him sound needy indeed, and Pomfrey apparently couldn't find it in her to punish the boy even more.
"If you promise to get back to your dormitory as soon as possible," she told him sternly, pleased when he nodded. "Fine, get going. Sleep well."
"G'night," he replied, moving off as though he intended on going straight to Gryffindor. He waited until he could no longer hear her footsteps before doubling back.
Soon enough the ragtag team made it to the Fat Lady, and Duo was sent in once more to scout out the area. Unfortunately for them, the Common Room was not empty. Hermione sat on one of the burgundy couches, eyes glued to the pages of a large, musty textbook.
She must have noticed Duo out of the corner of her eye, because she looked up, surprised. "Oh, Duo. Hello." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You're up late."
Duo grinned. "Yeah… there's nothing like a little walk to help you sleep." He faltered, searching for something to remedy this situation. The group in the hallway couldn't make their way in with an unconscious Heero, a staggering Harry, and a dog without attracting Hermione's attention, so they would have to wait until Wufei returned from the forest.
In the meantime, he had to distract Hermione. "So, what're you reading?"
Hermione looked surprised once more and glanced at her book. "Oh, um," she stalled, apparently considering whether or not she should tell him. "Just… a spell that Fred was looking up."
"Oh really?" Duo asked, feigning interest. He approached the brunette and sat down next to her hesitantly. "What's it called?"
"Ahm… The… 'Death of One Thousand Souls'," she recited. Duo nodded absently, when a sudden pressure was exerted on the inside of his mind. He winced and Hermione looked at him in concern.
Heero was waking up.
Duo forced a smile. "Just a headache. Sorry. You were saying?" Internally, he was firing rapid commands and the groggy Heero.
Don't think. Don't think at all. Don't start analyzing the situation because you'll throw me off. I'm trying to distract Hermione. Don't. Think.
Distantly, he heard a reply. What in the hell hit me?
He hid a smile, nodding as Hermione outlined the history of the spell. Something about a war. In the back of his mind, he could feel Heero begin to analyze things and his thoughts started to collide with the other pilot's.
Stop thinking, Duo ordered. The thoughts immediately slowed, which was an impressive feat for the analytical mind of Heero Yuy. Concentrate on Hermione. Listen to what she's talking about and concentrate on that and only that.
He felt an affirmative, and realized from Heero's background thoughts that the pilot was still being held by Trowa. Uh… you might also want to let Trowa put you down.
Amusement was sent back and he tried to ignore the exchange between Heero and Trowa and listen to Hermione.
"The spell's never been proven as being used, but more of a theory," she explained. "It's just amazing, though. Apparently it holds the power to simply… destroy the lives of one's enemies. Unfortunately, if it were to be used by an enemy of good, law-abiding wizards, then it would be disastrous."
"Wow," Duo replied, honestly surprised. "So… anybody it wants to die will die?" Would have been useful, he heard Heero mutter in the back of his mind. Duo agreed. Heero sifted through his mind and found a thought about Wufei and the cloak, and repeated that to Trowa. Duo vaguely caught Trowa replying to that with acceptance.
"So how do they know it exists?" Duo asked. "I mean, sure there's documentation about it being used in war, but how could they know that if it's never been reproduced?"
Hermione seemed to chew on that for a second even as Heero began supplying replies. Duo had never known – nor wanted to know – how fast Heero's mind actually played through things. He now knew that Heero usually had thoughts fly through rapidly, allowing for a pause to regroup them, and then spoke whatever reply he chose. Heero's speech was normally careful and particular.
On that same note, Heero had learned just how busy Duo's own mind was, and was probably getting a headache from trying to follow it all.
It was only a short time - and a large amount of spell history - later when Wufei finally showed up.
Groups, Heero told him, keeping the comment short. Duo agreed with the logic. Short, concise messages would probably help ward off confusing thoughts with one another. Me, Quatre, Harry.
Duo sank into the couch, making it look like he planned to stay for a while yet. Hermione didn't seem to disagree with the motion. Duo surmised – and Heero agreed – that Hermione was probably lonely without Harry around very often and without someone in general to listen to her lectures.
"So, this spell – is there nothing that indicates how you'd go about using it?" Duo asked. "How somebody would even try to replicate it?"
Hermione shrugged. "Not really."
Powerful emotion? Heero questioned, even as he and the other two were making their way across the Common Room. Duo found himself repeating the question aloud. "Maybe a powerful emotion or something would trigger it? Or, a dangerous life-threatening situation…"
"It's all speculation, really," Hermione mumbled, seeming put-out that she didn't have that many answers.
"Yeah, but I'm sure you thought about it plenty," Duo told her with a grin. She laughed lightly, embarrassed, and averted her eyes. Duo speculated the redness of her cheeks when Heero's startled voice shot through his mind.
SHIT! Ron! Jesus-!
Duo cleared his throat to mask any startled motion he might have made in response, even as Heero explained. Ron's sitting here on the stairwell watching you and Hermione. Speculations rose from both of their thoughts and Duo suppressed his own forcibly.
Did you get in?
Heero answered affirmatively. I will summon you after Trowa, Sirius and Wufei are inside.
Duo silently wished him luck and returned to conversing with Hermione. If he suddenly took off it would look suspicious, especially with Ron watching as well. But why was Ron watching them at all? Was he pining in secret?
Jealous?
The suggestion surprised Duo, but made sense all the same. Great. Not that I'm interested.
Duo got a feeling of amusement from Heero's reply of, I know.
Maybe this mind reading thing isn't so bad, Duo thought absently. None of that skull crushing pain.
Concentration is the key? Heero suggested, although it was in an amused tone. Duo smirked and opened his mouth to ask Hermione why she was researching the spell, when he heard Heero call him from the stairwell. The two on the couch jerked in surprise.
Didn't see that one coming, Duo admitted.
So we can mask thoughts, came the thoughtful reply. "It's late. Get over here."
Duo grinned at Hermione. "Sorry, but his majesty beckons. See ya!" He vaguely heard Hermione reply as he stood and made his way over to the stairwell. It didn't escape his – or Heero's – notice that Ron had disappeared.
Heero's sudden shout had probably given the redhead a heart attack.
Serves him right for spying, Heero replied. Duo shoved him slightly.
"Hey, stop reading my mind," he ordered, only half serious. Heero glared at him and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, sure Duo," he muttered, returning to their room.
"Harry," Duo greeted quietly as Heero shut the door behind him. "How you holding up?"
The dark-haired boy was pale and shaky. Duo could see that immediately. He was also obviously in pain. For Duo, though, he quirked half a smile. "Just barely," he admitted. "It gets harder as time goes on… I think. I feel more."
Duo's eyes cut to Quatre, who elaborated. "The longer he's connected to Draco, the worse off he looks. I think Draco's wounds are affecting him."
"Does he know where we're going?" Heero asked.
"They didn't take Draco far," Trowa offered from his bed. He was perched on the edge. "He's in Britain. Nearby, actually. A non-wizard village."
"Muggle," Sirius corrected. He looked grim as well. "They're called muggles, people who can't do magic."
"So we're going midday tomorrow," Quatre confirmed, glaring particularly at Duo and Heero. "Regardless of any more mishaps?"
"It's okay now," Duo retorted, returning the glare. "We're both walking around."
"That might change by tomorrow, if it gets progressively worse like Harry is," Wufei told them seriously. "You will still be coming with us, in any case."
"Damn right we will," Duo insisted. "Heero would go unconscious if he had to. He'd find a way. Have himself shipped in a crate or something."
"Dedication…" Heero muttered.
"Your middle name." Duo smirked. And you didn't even argue cuz it's true.
Right.
You'd find a way.
Probably.
"Uh, guys?" Quatre called impatiently. "Stop with the mind thing. Pay attention. Sirius is going to provide us with a portkey to Cambridge, but we need to find the building he's being held in. Some sort of historical site," Quatre muttered absently, looking to Wufei for confirmation. The Asian young man nodded.
"Draco is unsure of the name, except that it's old and normally has tourists crawling all over it. There's some kind of deterrent spell, though."
"And we're going to get through this spell?" Duo asked. "…How?"
"Sirius will deal with that," Quatre assured. "Besides, I don't think that it applies to wizards, and we are wizards."
"What makes you able to help him?" Sirius asked suddenly, looking at them all. "You're not even real wizards. It seems to me that Harry'd have a better chance with Ron and Hermione."
"Well Ron and Hermione weren't there when that guy got kidnapped, were they?" Duo bit out. Heero shot a pointed look at him and Duo glared back.
"We have skills we attained before coming to Hogwarts," Trowa said, keeping it simple. "They will help us get in to get Draco."
"We should finalize any plans in the morning," Wufei spoke up. "For this to work no other students can become suspicious – especially not Ron or any others in Harry's room." He looked at Harry. "Will you be able to sleep with Draco lingering in your mind like that?"
"I can cast a silence spell on myself," Harry suggested meekly. "In case I wake up and start freaking out."
"All right, and I'll have a portkey ready by morning," Sirius promised. "To Cambridge."
"Yeah," Quatre affirmed. "It isn't a large town, I don't think, so I doubt there'll be too many historical sites to choose from. It's not a wizard town though, so we'll have to wear something other than black robes."
Transfiguration, Heero's voice rang in Duo's mind even as the Asian boy voiced it aloud. "Duo and I know the basics of transfiguration. If we can create owls, we should be able to create clothing." Duo nodded in agreement.
"In the morning, then," Quatre determined, looking at them all. "In the morning we're leaving, and by nightfall we'll be back with Draco."
"I'll stay at the rendezvous point," Sirius offered in a tone that bordered on demanded. "To make sure you all get back safely."
"Fine. Will you be able to get back to Hagrid's hut?" Sirius grimaced. "Fine, you can borrow my broomstick and fly out through the window. We don't want to lose the Invisibility Cloak in case it's needed."
"Tomorrow morning, then."
Quatre nodded, and it was set.
…
Morning came thundering in once it did arrive, and any who had been trying to sleep had not slept for long. Duo's thundering timbre was enough to wake up the entire dormitory.
"Fuck off, Heero." There was an obvious warning in Duo's tone, and the other three looked up warily. Tensions had been thick since they'd both been awake, and they were obviously not coping well with the abrupt invasion of privacy, however well they'd been getting along the night before. It seemed as though Heero was taking it rather badly, and was streamlining thoughts into Duo's head.
"God damnit Heero, calm down or get the fuck out of my head!" Heero stared at him with a serious expression, eyes narrowed slightly. Trowa moved forward, and that apparently set something off. "God damn motherfuck-ARGH!" Duo's hollering halted abruptly as he hurled himself across the room and crashed into the Wing pilot, who grabbed his two wrists and held the angry boy away from him.
The room was silent for a moment, with the two connected young men staring at each other. Soon Duo's face appeared to shutter, and he sighed, sinking to his knees and holding his head in his hands. Heero was watching him with a cool gaze.
"Heero," Quatre called, eyes narrowed warily. "Stop. We can't do this now."
The pilot's blue eyes snapped up to Quatre's face. Although Quatre couldn't hear Heero's thoughts, as there were surely some being directed at him, he knew that whatever Heero was thinking wasn't good. The suspicious was confirmed when Duo began grumbling and stood once more, glaring into Heero's bright eyes.
"You're such a fucking bastard," Duo hissed. A grimace came over Heero's features. "Oh, don't even fucking start," the other boy said dismissively. "Fucking pissing all over the place. Jesus. I didn't fucking ask for this either, understand?" Heero stared at him silently, while Duo continued to reply aloud. "Well isn't that too fucking bad." A pause. "No. Stop fucking with that. Heero."
Heero shook his head suddenly and looked away, staring at the wall. "I'm sorry."
"You fucking should be," Duo retorted, glaring.
"Are you two done bickering yet? Or, should I say, is Duo done bickering?" Wufei griped. He glanced up only after uttering his comment to take in the faces of his companions. Instead of a fierce retort from Duo, the braided pilot turned and glared at Heero again.
"I don't like how fast your mind works."
Heero glared back. "I don't like how scattered your mind works."
Duo huffed. "It's called multi-tasking. If you weren't such a fucking genius I'd think you were a moron." A moment later he yelped and put a hand to his head. "Don't fucking DO that!"
"Heero, whatever the hell you're doing, cut it out before someone comes and investigates Duo's hollering!" Wufei ordered, glaring.
"He's pushing on parts of my mind," Duo grumbled. "To see what will happen. Then, when I react, a stream of information and thoughts fly through and start assaulting me instead."
Again, Heero said, "I'm sorry," in a chagrined tone. He grimaced and looked away, rubbing a hand through his hair. Duo's eyes softened, as whatever Heero was thinking washed over him. Suddenly he shook himself.
"Right. Outfits. No time for hissyfits." Duo rolled up the sleeves of his nightclothes – they were simply other black robes that got changed to a new black robe every morning. Were he to wander out into the Common Room wearing the robe nobody would be able to tell the difference. "Where the hell did I put my wand?"
A snappy internal remark from Heero caused a pillow to go flying, and the others shook their heads. It would be a long, hard day.
…
…
It's… a lil short. I know.
So sorry.
And yeah.. The dreaded thing that is school is upon me. Stealing my what-once-was-free-time. I can barely READ my damn fics let alone write. Yeesh.
I will find the time, however. Have faith!
; ja.
